The ultrasonographic diagnosis of bleeding into a pancreatic pseudocyst

Bleeding into a pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare but life-threatening entity. Early diagnosis is crucial in its management. There are reports suggesting that computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and angiography could be the diagnostic maneuvers. In this report, we present a case of arterial bleeding into a pancreatic pseudocyst, which was diagnosed by the turbulent echo-currents seen in real-time ultrasonography.     

Clinical and prognostic aspects of congenital hydrocephalus

Clinical data of 24 patients with congenital hydrocephalus are presented. 13 children died within the first 7 months of life; the average period of survival was 2 months. Associated malformations of the CNS or other organs, severely raised intracranial pressure in utero, and postnatal complications involving the CNS indicated a poor prognosis. The follow-up of the 11 surviving children showed severe neurologic sequelae and drug resistent epilepsy in 2 of them. Three others had neural tube defects and associated paraplegia. The 6 remaining children had mild or moderate cerebral palsy or were moderately mentally retarded. If possible, birth should not be induced before 36 weeks of gestation, and the hydrocephalus should be shunted soon after birth. Satisfactory results can be obtained in about one half of surviving patients by early shunting of congenital hydrocephalus.     

The functional anatomy of the muscles of facial expression in humans with and without cleft lip and palate. A contribution to refine muscle reconstruction in primary cheilo- and rhinoplasties in patients with uni- and bilateral complete CLP.

The great variation of primary cheiloplasty procedures in Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) patients shows that there is disagreement regarding the embryonic development of this part of the face, the macroscopic and microscopic functional anatomy of the human muscles of facial expression and their role as a functional matrix for balanced and harmonious facial development. The purpose of this study is to present results of microsurgically dissected facial muscles, several parts of the nose and the human midface in specimens with and without cleft lip and palate. The results are compared with those of other investigations. Recommendations are presented for a standardized dissection technique of the facial muscles of expression for different types of primary cheilo- and rhinoplasty techniques.     

The temporal dynamics of postanoxic burst-suppression EEG.

Burst-suppression EEG (BS-EEG) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation implies a bad prognosis, but little is known of the temporal dynamics of postanoxic BS-EEG. The authors studied 24 consecutive patients who developed BS-EEG within 24 hours after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and followed 20 of these patients with serial EEGs. Except for one patient, BS-EEG was followed by another EEG pattern within 1 day, mainly areactive alpha EEG (n = 6), isoelectric EEG (n = 5), generalized continuous epileptiform discharges (n = 4), or theta; EEG (n = 3). The coexistence of different EEG patterns in the same recording was seen in 10 patients. Serial recordings disclosed a variety of EEG sequences with (often subtle) transitions between the different EEG patterns, including reappearance of BS-EEG. Postanoxic BS-EEG is followed by a variety of EEG sequences composed of different EEG patterns, each of which is recognized as an unfavorable sign in and of itself. The coexistence of different unfavorable EEG patterns in the same recording, and transitions between these EEG patterns in subsequent recordings, are common in patients with postanoxic BS-EEG. It seems reasonable to speculate that BS-EEG and subsequently evolving EEG patterns in anoxic encephalopathy reflect different forms of neocortical dysfunction, which occur at different stages of a dynamic process, leading ultimately to severe neuronal loss.     

Acute effect of norfenefrine on the urethral pressure profile in females with genuine stress incontinence

To study the acute effect of norfenefrine, given orally in aqueous solution, on the urethral closure function, profilometry was performed before and after administration of placebo and increasing doses of norfenefrine in 6 females with genuine stress incontinence. A weak increase in urethral pressure was observed after administration of 90 mg of norfenefrine. No changes in heart rate and blood pressure occurred. The results indicate that the direct sympathomimetic effect of norfenefrine is weak. It is suggested that norfenefrine mainly acts via indirect mechanisms.